In 1989, W.H. McLeod has published two books on Sikhism.
- “The Sikhs (Columbia University Press, New York) “ Who is a Sikh? The Problem with Sikh Identity (Claredon Press, Oxford).
Dr. McLeod has once again repeated the same old challenge to Fundamental Sikh Principles as he did in his previous work. He has completely failed to answer the work of Dr. Noel King, Daljit Singh I.A.S (Retd) Dr. Hari Ram Gudia, Dr. Ganda Singh, Professor Harbans Singh, Professor Jagjit Singh, well known Sikh Scholars who have already controverted his theories with thorough documentation from Sikh Literature and Sikh Scriptures.
“Who is a Sikh? Problem with Sikh Identity is sponsored by Radhakrishan Memorial Trust. Why & What was the motive behind by such a trust. To find problem with Sikh identity?
Does western critical scholarship recommend eliminating literature from your work which does not agree ‘with your study? W.H. McLeod’s books has repeated the same technique. Why? Is there any motive behind this? Here is an example of one of Dr. McLeod’s letter to a Sikh scholar whose name we are not publishing for the sake of anonymity, where he agreed that he made mistake of not placing in General bibliography on Important books on Sikhism.
Dear Sardar,
As he indicated to you in his letter dated 5 June 1986, Professor Hinnellis of the University of Manchester has forwarded to me a copy of your letter to him dated 7/12/85. I was very pleased to learn that a copy of my Textual Sources for the Study of Sikhism has come to your notice.
Thank you for the comments which you made on this bibliography which was included in the book. I entirely agree with you that the books which you list are very important titles and that all of these certainly deserve a place in any general bibliography relating to Sikh Studies. They were however two other criteria which were applied when the bibliography for Textual Sources was compiled. These were:
- Does the book include material which relates to the specifically textual or literary concerns of Textual Sources for the Study of Sikhism?
- Will it be reasonably easy for university students in the United Kingdom to consult the book?
With these two criteria in mind I felt that I should omit some standard titles and most of these appear in your letter. The choice certainly does not suggest that any of those books are unimportant. It is of course possible that I have some mistakes in my choice. If so, I can only ask to be excused.
I shall look forward very much indeed to hearing from you. Thank you again for your interest in the book.
Yours Sincerely, W.H. McLeod
We all make mistakes but repeating the same mistake especially in misinterpretation on Fundamental Principles of a major religion makes one to think the writer has a motive.
In Sikh history work of Prof W.H. McLeod will be interpreted as Soft Target until he gives academic response to Sikh scholars whom he portrays as Traditional or Orthodox in situations where he does not find an academic answer. His omission to suppress grievances Sikh youth makes W.H. McLeod a artisan rather than an independent observer.
Sikh scholars challenge Prof McLeod to an open academic discussion whenever and wherever he wishes in North America.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 22, 1989
